DUNDEE UNITED boss Jackie McNamara insists there is no need to panic and is convinced his side can end their six-game winless run if they toughen up.

JACKIE MCNAMARA told his defence to toughen up after a bullying at Dingwall stretched United’s winless run to six.

The Tangerines have now taken just two points from a possible 18 after the 3-0 reverse at County.

McNamara isn’t ready to hit the panic button yet and is convinced they can rediscover the form that helped them win six on the bounce before results nose-dived.

But he insists his side must get back to basics defensively after a sloppy showing by stars such as Sean Dillon (below) and Calum Butcher.

McNamara said: “We looked soft at the back and they dominated us. If you don’t defend properly you put yourself under pressure.

“When we went on our run we were keeping clean sheets and had the best defensive record along with Celtic.

“Since we’ve gone on this bad run we’ve lost a few goals and you see the confidence going.

“It’s about getting back to basics and making sure we’re dominant at the back and not getting bullied.

“I’m disappointed with the first two goals we lost. The third was a fantastic finish but we could have closed him down quicker.

“We weren’t dominant enough and didn’t handle simple balls up the park. You have to do that, it’s basics.

“I’m confident we’ll get it back but it’s the little things that cost you.

“We have young players who are learning but when we were going well we worked on our shape and pressed together.”

McNamara handed teen stars Ryan Gauld and John Souttar a break and hopes they return refreshed and that the rest of the players benefit from time off, with their next match not until a week tomorrow against St Johnstone.

He said: “We’ve got time now to give a few of them time to recover as they look tired. There’s a few carrying knocks.”